Barzakh' producer takes a swipe at Pakistani viewers

Zindagi's Shailja Kejriwal says she has numbers to prove what people are watching

Following the removal of Barzakh from YouTube Pakistan, Shailja Kejriwal, producer at Zee Zindagi, has set social media alight with her latest post on X (formerly Twitter). Responding to the backlash the Asim Abbasi directorial is facing for its queer themes, the Indian producer called out Pakistani viewers' hypocrisy.

In her pointed X post, Kejriwal didn't mince words. "I have YouTube data (being in a large corporation) to prove what the awaam of Pakistan is watching!" she declared. The producer further highlighted how her previous offering, starring Sajal Ali and Ahad Raza Mir faced similar criticism while becoming a hit later.

"There was so much outrage over my show Dhoop Ki Deewar that Zee5 was banned in Pakistan. Yet, a year later, Sajal Aly received a Presidential Award for her role in it!" she remarked.

The decision to withdraw the six-episode web series came after it faced substantial criticism. In a statement on Zindagi's Instagram, the network addressed the issue: "We, at Zindagi and Team Barzakh, extend our heartfelt gratitude to our global audience for their unwavering support."

It continued, "But in light of the current public sentiment in Pakistan, we have decided to voluntarily withdraw Barzakh from YouTube Pakistan, effective August 9, 2024. This decision underscores our dedication to honouring our audiences without causing alienation. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and continued support. Thank you."

Barzakh, starring an impressive lineup including Fawad Khan, Sanam Saeed, M Fawad Khan, Salman Shahid, Khushhal Khan, Sajid Hasan, Uzma Beg, and Nighat Choudhry, quickly amassed over four million views for its first episode. However, its provocative content has sparked heated debate among viewers.

While the show has been pulled from YouTube in Pakistan, it remains accessible on YouTube platforms in India and other countries.